Rust is more than unsightly. It can also cause serious damage to your car. That is why you need to go to your auto body shop any time a scratch or dent happens to your car, even if it looks minor. Minor damage can turn into major issues that require costly repairs or even turn your car into a write-off. Here’s what you need to know about rust and how it can impact your car.

What exactly is rust?

Rust occurs when iron comes into contact with water and air. The carbon dioxide combines with the water, forming an acid that partially breaks down the iron. The oxygen atoms in water bond with the iron atoms and create iron oxide. Iron oxide is very brittle, which is why rust flakes so easily when you touch it. That kind of brittleness is not ideal for a car, which has to be able to withstand wear and tear in environmental conditions and the potential of collisions with other vehicles.

What are the effects of rust on a car?

The impact of rust on a car depends on whether the rust is on the surface or if it is underneath. Surface rust can happen fairly easily. If your paint is dinged by a piece of gravel when you’re driving or if you drive somewhere that deicing agents are used on the road, then surface rust can occur. If the rust is in one surface location, it can be fixed at your body shop by sanding off and resealing the effective area. But if rust is allowed to eat through the metal, it can cause structural damage. A crack in your car’s outer structure is all that is needed to allow rust to invade below the surface and weaken the frame of your car.

Don’t let rust put your car at risk. Michael J’s Body Shop offers collision repairs and other auto body work that not only makes your car look like new but also prevents further damage from occurring. For more information about auto body repairs in San Jose, call (408) 279-2070.

You’ve probably seen advertisements for low-cost paint jobs for your car. Maybe you’ve even been tempted by them. However, what you should know about auto body paint jobs is that not all work is created equal. Quality paint jobs require skill and the right equipment to get the job done and make your car look as good as new.

A quality paint job has a few different components, depending on the work you want done. If you need to refresh your paint or repaint your car as part of collision repair, you will first need to match the color. Colors vary across makes, models, and years, so you should choose an auto body shop that specializes in matching shades. Even if you decide to pick a new paint color, ensuring a like-new finish and adding gloss should be part of the process.

Auto body paint is a shield between the vehicle and the outside world. During the course of a car’s typical lifespan, its constant exposure to the elements can wreak havoc on the paint job. But by knowing what’s likely to damage auto body paint, you can take proactive steps toward protecting your vehicle. And if the paint does sustain damage, consider bringing it to a car paint shop to get repaired.

Insects

With the exception of cars kept in showrooms or tightly sealed warehouses, it’s inevitable that vehicles will get splattered by bugs, especially after a long road trip. Bug splatter on your car is more than a temporary inconvenience; it can permanently damage the paint. That’s because insect blood is acidic, and the longer it’s left on the paint, the more damage it can cause. Protect your car by going through a car wash to get rid of bug splatter.

Birds

If you notice bird droppings on your car, get a damp cloth and wipe it off right away. The droppings themselves might not damage the paint, but the combination of droppings and the hot sun just might. The heat from the sun will essentially bake the droppings on the car as it expands the molecules in the paint and metal. This makes the droppings difficult to remove, and it may leave a permanent stain.

Tree Sap

Tree sap is damaging to car paint in the same way that bird droppings are. When the sun bakes the sap on the car, the stain can be all but impossible to scrub off. You may need to use a clay bar to remove it. And, unless you remove the sap in a timely manner, the substance can react with the car’s surface, leaving a roughened area in the paint.

At Michael J’s Body Shop, we provide a full spectrum of auto collision repair services in San Jose. From frame straightening to professional paint jobs, we do it all. Give us a call at (408) 279-2070, and ask us about our customer satisfaction guarantee.

If you want to keep your car for as long as possible, or if you hope to sell your car for as much as possible someday, then one of the most important things you can do is to take steps to protect the paint job. In some cases, this may mean taking your car to an auto paint shop to touch up your color, especially if you have had your car for an extended period of time or live in an area where there is a significant environmental toll on your car, such as near saltwater. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to extend the life of your paint for as long as possible. These strategies will help.

Wax Your Car Regularly

Regular waxing is an essential step in keeping your paint in top condition. Wax is a barrier between your paint and pollution and other environmental conditions that can make your paint look dull, faded, and lifeless. Generally, you should wax your car every three months, or more often if you are noticing the signs of paint damage. This rule applies even if you have clear coat protection on your paint. Keep in mind that hand waxing your car or having waxing done by a professional is far superior to driving through a car wash with an automatic waxing cycle.

Clean Bird Droppings When They Occur

Bird droppings are more than annoying. They can cause significant damage to your paint if they aren’t cleaned off your car as quickly as possible. This is because bird droppings have a high amount of acid in them, which is corrosive to paint. When they occur, spot clean the affected area to protect your paint.

Practice Careful Parking

Whenever possible, park your car inside of a structure, so that it is not exposed to the elements. If you are unable to park inside, consider getting a car cover to use when it is going to be in one place for an extended period of time.

Michael J’s Body Shop offers comprehensive auto body and paint service to help your car look its best for as long as you drive it. For more information about auto body paint service in San Jose, please call (408) 279-2070.

It doesn’t take a massive scratch to tarnish the aesthetic appeal of your car, but you have a few options when it comes to auto paint repair . You can try to find touch up paint to fill in a small scratch, but you will need to find the exact color. Your auto paint shop can help you restore your car to its natural condition quickly and efficiently. Here is a look at your auto paint repair options.

Finding Touch Up Paint

It is possible to repair your paint job on your own, but it can be much more difficult than taking your car in to see a professional. First you will need to find paint to use for your touch up. You can use touch up spray paint or purchase bottles of paint that appears to match the color of your car; however, it can be difficult to apply this paint evenly if you are inexperienced in doing so.

Identifying the Color

The spectrum of visible light is expansive, and so is the spectrum of possible paint colors for your car. If you trust your eyes and your judgment, you can try eyeballing the paint color. Alternatively, you can find out the exact color of your paint job by determining its paint code. The drawback is that the exact paint color you need might not be on the affordable side.

Working with a Body Shop

Even the handiest drivers may decide to take their cars to a professional auto paint shop. In this case you can rest assured that you will experience professional results and that the new paint matches the color of your car. You can also trust your specialists’ skill and experience, as they are trained to do the job.

Would you like to take a closer look at your auto paint repair options? Feel free to call Michael J’s Body Shop at (408) 279-2070. Our team specializes in car dent removal and collision repair in addition to auto body paint near San Jose. Please do not hesitate to visit our website to learn more about our auto paint shop today.

As the owner of a new vehicle, it is important to take all of the steps needed to clean and preserve your car’s paint job. While some specialty products can go a long ways towards restoring your new car shine, other items may do more harm than good. An auto body shop in San Jose can provide you with all of the services you need to restore your auto body paint. By avoiding using certain products on your car, you can help avoid the need to visit your auto body shop in the future. Here is a closer look at some products that could damage your car’s paint.

Abrasive Cleaners

When you are washing your car, it is important to use cleaners that have been specifically designed for use on your car’s paint. Some types of cleaners may contain abrasive materials that will actually create scratches on the surface of your car. By checking to see that your cleaner does not contain abrasives, you can preserve your car’s paint .

Power Tools

As you are cleaning and waxing your car, you should be sure to avoid using power tools. Power sanders and buffers can quickly strip the paint off of the surface of your car. By washing and waxing your car by hand, you will be able to avoid unsightly damage to your paint.

Harsh Cloths

The final step of any car washing procedure is to dry off the surface of the car with a cloth or towel. When you are drying off your car, you should be sure to only use soft, microfiber cloths. Cloths that are made from harsh or scratchy materials, such as paper, could put scratches in your paint.

For help caring for your car’s paint job, be sure to visit Michael J’s Body Shop . Our auto body professionals will be able to restore your car to pristine condition. To set up an appointment with our team today, give us a call at (408) 608-3381.

While nothing beats the feeling of driving your brand new car home from the dealership, eventually your car’s fresh paint will fade over time. Fortunately, with services from a highly rated auto body shop in San Jose, you can return your car’s auto body paint to its original condition. The experts at an auto paint shop will have the materials and knowledge needed to paint your car to perfection. Read on to learn more about the essentials of auto body paint.

Causes of Paint Damage

There are many factors that can cause damage to your car’s paint job. For example, if your car is parked outside, sun, wind, and hail can all cause your paint to peel or chip. In addition, sap from trees can also be a source of damage to car paint. Finally, dirt and other debris from the road can also create serious damage to your car’s exterior paint job.

Types of Auto Paint

When you have decided that your car is ready for a new paint job, you will have a few different types of auto paint to choose from. One of the most common types of auto paint is acrylic paint, which will provide your car with a fresh and glossy appearance. For a non-toxic alternative to acrylic, you may want to ask your technician about using water based paint.

Choosing an Auto Painter

In order to get the most out of your car painting, it is a great idea to choose a highly rated car paint shop in your local area. A reputable auto body shop will typically have all of the tools needed to provide your car with a fresh coat of paint. Before you book painting services at an auto body shop, you may want to ask your technician to provide you with an estimate.

To learn more about your car painting options, be sure to contact Michael J’s Body Shop . As a highly rated auto paint shop serving San Jose, we will be sure to provide you with excellent painting services. Call us at (408) 279-2070 to schedule an appointment today.